In a historic moment at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin clinched Taiwan's first-ever gold medal in badminton men's doubles. The dynamic duo triumphed over China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang with a score of 21-17, 18-21, 21-19 at the Porte de La Chapelle arena, delivering a gripping final that captivated audiences worldwide.

President Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, took to social media to commend the badminton champions for their remarkable achievement representing "Team Taiwan." He lauded their teamwork and perseverance, stating,

Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin, childhood friends who also won gold in Tokyo, celebrated their emotionally charged victory by falling to the floor in jubilation. Spectators passionately chanted "Taiwan," despite the pair competing under the name Chinese Taipei to circumvent political objections from China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory. Lee threw his racket into the air amid a standing ovation from euphoric Taiwanese supporters. Reflecting on their journey, Lee shared,

He also announced his retirement, expressing his gratitude by kissing the court at the end of the match.

The victory marked a significant moment for Taiwan, whose athletes have also excelled in sports such as skeet shooting, gymnastics, and boxing. The win reignited discussions about Taiwanese identity and self-determination, themes that resonate deeply in the face of China's territorial claims.

The excitement in Taiwan was palpable. Lai Tse-yi, a 32-year-old actor from Taipei, watched the competition from home and expressed his exhilaration, "Thank you to Taiwan’s athletes for making the world see Taiwan." Meanwhile, approximately 1,000 supporters gathered at Taipei's largest train station to watch a screening of the match. Chen Hsien-yi, a 35-year-old film and television producer, shared his sentiments,

Taiwan's participation in international sports events has long been politically sensitive. The 2024 Paris Games highlighted this tension, as international sports enthusiasts acknowledged the victory's significance against the backdrop of China's claims over Taiwan. Despite China's efforts to isolate Taiwan from international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Health Organization, Taiwan competes under the name Chinese Taipei with a unique flag featuring the Olympic rings instead of the Taiwanese flag.

This historic win not only brought immense pride to Taiwan but also underscored the island's ongoing struggle for recognition on the global stage.